some of these days (also some of these times) adverb phrase Someday, sometime, one day coming.
1863 Tesch CW Letters (Dec 5) I havent got anny thing to Give him now but I will have something some of these times. 1863 Warrick CW Letters (Oct 26) I am a fraid that we will have a fite here some of these dais beefore long the yankees is a try to go round us but I dont think that thay will quite mak the trip. 1883 Murfree Old Sledge 549 That thar toungue o’ yourn will git cut out some o’ these hyar days. 1903 Fox Little Shepherd 67 “Some o’ these days,” said the old Squire, “That fool Jake’s a-goin’ to pick up somethin’ an’ knock that mean Jerry’s head off.” 1955 Justus Peter Pocket 66 “Wait till she hears the first robin,” said Mr. McGregory. “She will hear one some of these days. It won’t be long till spring.” 1973 Foxfire Interviews A-73-46 I decided I had to meet the Master some of these times. 1975 Richard and Margaret 8 They are makin’ an easier way and they are going to run into a wall some of these days.
—Dictionary of Southern Appalachian English
While looking for something in the dictionary I came across the entry for some these days. The phrase is so familiar to me I found it interesting that it is included in the dictionary. Seems like everyone in the world uses the phrase, but maybe not.
Recent sentences I’ve heard the phrase used in.
- Some of these days I’m gonna clean out that garage and get rid of a lot of that junk.
- Some of these days I want to get him to close in my porch.
- Some of these days I’ll get it painted but I’m not gonna worry about it right now.
- Some of these days Apple will surely come out with a new iMac so I can quit listening to this 747 fan blow all the day long.
Let me know if some of these days is a phrase you use. The entry also reminded me of this song.
Last night’s video: My Favorite Chicken Casserole Recipe – It’s So Good!
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In my family and still today I use both but with different meanings. When I use, “one of these days” I’m saying I’ll get to it sooner than later, kind a like I’ll be doing the task in the next week or so. Now as for “some of these days”, I would be saying I’ll get to it but not anytime soon. Like you Tipper, I thought everybody used it.
It was good to hear Ernie Ford. It made me think about when I was young and lived at home. Somewhere in the late 1950’s or early ’60’s dad’s bran new, first ever for him, alarm clock would go off at 6:00 of the morning with the sound of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs singing the Martha White flour song on WSM radio. If you laid there for a song or two you would hear a Ernie Ford song. Dad always loved to hear Flatt and Scruggs play. I guess it was because Lester Flatt called Sparta Tennessee his home which was only about five miles from where dad use to live out on Gum Springs Mountain. I’m sure he must of heard him a lot when he would play local.
Would love to correspond with you regarding some of your canning processess. Mainly your pickled beets. Will you contact me please? I am an 82 year old widow from east Texas.
Barbara-I sent you an email 🙂
I’ve even heard “Some one of these days.”
I heard it as a song–maybe Ella Fitzgerald?
I am really surprised, after reading through the comments, at the percent of people who had never heard “some of these days” or thought that “one of these days” meant the same thing. But, that’s is what https://blindpigandtheacorn.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@CelebratingAppalachia are about after all. Preserving a part of our heritage that is rapidly being forgotten.
One of these days I am going to sell that Hallicrafter SX100 that has been in our attic for many years along with my faithful 1992 240 Volvo which is now stored in my garage Age has taken over now
“One of these days” is what my family has used.
I’ve used and heard “one of these days” more often than “some of these days.” I also loved everything you fixed with that delicious Chicken Casserole supper. BUT I must say, I absolutely LOVED hearing Tennessee Ernie Ford singing that gospel song with the Jourdanaires. What a treat!!
Great song, Tipper! Thank you for sharing it. Listening to its cheerful tune and its truth-filled words lifted my heart – and gave me courage. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’ve not personally used the phrase “some of these days,” but it is familiar to me. Perhaps I heard it spoken by my grandmother long, long ago, although I have no memory of that occurring. Anyway, the phrase feels as comfortable and reassuring as a warm fire on a chilly day. Thank you for offering it to us today.
we always said , one of these days. That phrase has been said around our house that I’m tired of it. Specially by my husband. One of these days I’ll get to it and get it done. Never does. I end up doing it.
Your husband needs to get himself a round toit! It’s the perfect tool for doing tomorrow what should be done today!
That ole pea picker shore could sang.
“One of these days” are words of hope.
Fixin to is one I still use.
We use some of these days and one of these days.
I always say “one of these days”. Usually it’s “One of these days you’ll learn to listen to me when I try to tell you about ______.” And usually it’s directed at my husband or one of my girls because 95% of the time they don’t heed warnings…but ya live and learn I guess, eventually, haha.
I’ve always heard and used “one of these days”. One of these days I’m going to clean out the top shelves in my kitchen cabinets.
One of these days is what I’ve always heard and used.
I don’t know offhand which I say or if I say both “one of” or “some of”. There is a song that the chorus includes the words “I’m gonna go where troubles can’t find me, gonna be leaving, gonna be leaving one of these days.”
Great post, and I love this view of your house!
So that’s the sound I hear in your kitchen videos. Are you recording on a Macintosh with a loud fan?
“Some of these days” is very common at my house. “Some of these days”, in my vernacular, means an event is “bound to happen” but not in the foreseeable future. You can see where the path is leading although you can’t see the end.
Edwin-no that sound is the new camera it picks up every sound including the hum of the fridge 🙂 If adjustments don’t work we’ll go back to the old camera.
I’m familiar with ONE of these days, but SOME of these days I’ve not heard that I know of. I like the rear view of your house and might I add my terrace is perhaps steeper than yours, but I do have the nicest BUTT of a hill in the entire family!!! I’m proud of it, if not a bit intimidated by the thing! Also, just to let you know, sometimes Google says I’ve commented and they “DETECT” a duplicate comment which I’m telling you is complete hogwash and that happened yesterday and I’m too sick to fight it right now. Besides, there’s nothing I have to share that can be deemed much of worth. So it is what it be.
We say “one of these days” and “one day soon” —-“we’ll come over for a visit one day soon.”
I was thinking between old age and arthritis, one of these days or some of these days are getting fewer and farther apart.
Remember when Jackie Gleason, in the role of Ralph Kramden, would shake his fist at his wife and utter those words, “One of these days , Alice, to the moon!”
I’m both a “one” and a “some”.
We use both, some of these days and one of these days. Some of these days are harder than others. Some of these days don’t last long enough etc… One of these days we’re gonna get that cellar cleaned up. One of these days you’.. know what I mean etc…
Over the mountain we say “one of these days” instead of “some of these days”.
Nice cool morning in the Tennessee valley..good day to work outside!
Have a good day and blessings to all!
My granny Ocie would say one of these here times or if she really wanted it done one of these here times “ soon”, that seemed to make it more urgent. She was a lot like your mama granny she crocheted all the time, canned everything she could and was tough as nails and we loved her so much. Praying for grannies continued hope for better out comes. And so excited about that little boy that’s coming. Blessing to you all.
Poor old uncle Pete’s been teched in the haid fer quat awhile now and one of these days we gots to do sumthin wiffem. I love it. Blessings to all.
God bless Granny with healing and health in Jesus name
Some of these days…gonna clean out the utility shed, stack those boxes, hand those garden tools…wow this conversation could go on and on, that is for sure. I love the old sayings as it brings back memories of my Grands and parents. Some were in another language but they do bring smiles. Loved the chicken casserole recipe, but will have to find another veggie as the hubby doesn’t do broccoli. Also learned about the new addition. Do you have a due date?…God Bless all you guys, and til next posting.
I always heard ” one of these days”.
Same with me in Southern Maryland.
That was the title of a Sophie Tucker song I used to have on a 78 r.p.m. record.
I haven’t heard anyone say the phrase, but it’s also a great song from 1910 made famous by Sophie Tucker, and still being covered by artists today like Tuba Skinny and The Asylum Street Spankers.
I never heard some of these days used. We always said one of these days.
Hi Tipper,
In the upper Midwest, we would say “One of these days” instead.
Best wishes,
Dana
I think I say “one of these days” more often than”some of these days”. One of these days I may learn to not make as many mistakes in my comments.